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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Main

Māin, n.

noun

n. [A-S. mägen, mägyn, mägn, strength, power, force, from magan, to be able or strong, may, can; O. Sax. megin, Icel. magn, megin, O. H. Ger. magan, megin, strength, vigor. See MAY.]

  1. Strength; force; might.
  2. The chief or principal part; bulk; gross; main portion; specifically, (a.) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, &c.; the high sea; the ocean. “He fell, and struggling in the main.” Dryden. (b.) The continent, as distinguished from an island; the main land. “Invaded the main of Spain.” Bacon. (c.) A principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; especially (Engin.), a principal pipe leading from a reservoir.
  3. A hamper. Ainsworth.

Forcing main, the delivery-pipe of a pump.—For the main, or in the main, for the most part; in the greatest part.

Māin, n.

noun

n. [Fr. main, hand, from Lat. manus; Pr. man, Sp. & It. mano.] 1. A hand at dice. [Obs.] And lucky mains make people wise. Prior. 2. A match at cock fighting.

Māin, a.

adjective

a. [See supra.] 1. Mighty; powerful; huge; vast; as, the main abyss. Milton. 2. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, &c. Our main interest is to be as happy as we can, and as long as possible. Tillotson. 3. Absolute; entire; mere. “It's a main untruth.” Scott. Main body (Mil.), the line or corps of an army which marches between the advance and rear guard; in camp, the body which lies between the two wings. Syn.—Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.